I Also Heard the Bells Ringing

And Tears came to my eyes!

We wanted to attend a movie after a pretty rewarding but stressful week of “volunteering,” and the only one upon which we agreed was the above: I HEARD THE BELLS RINGING. I figured this was about Church bells, and since some of our volunteering had been at the Church, I felt this was a pretty apropos choice! So, after a little freshening up and after finding our pass, “We Were Off!”

The first thing we noticed when we arrived at the theater was that the exact title is I HEARD THE BELLS; there is no “ringing” in the title! The second thing was that the movie, minus the extra “fluff,” runs ten minutes short of two hours and that it has not been officially rated by the “Association.” I believe my wife and I would feel free to take our grandchildren of ages 6 years and up and not be afraid they would be bored or offended— but maybe a little alarmed! (There is a scene when a woman “burns to her death,” which is not really graphic but is sad, so Briefly put, this is a stor y (not fact but is written as if it is) about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, often known as “AMERICA’S POET,” who is leading a fulfilling, rewarding, and financially well-off life and is often asked to present his poems or write new ones for some occasions. He has a wife and children and seems to be “the lucky one.”

The time period is that of The Civil War, which divides the nation and bothers Longfellow. Then, things begin to happen that bother the famous author and cause him to re-think his writings. As you watch the movie, you will probably think it is autobiographical— and just maybe, just maybe it is!

Time passes, and the winter season is upon the countryside; things are not going well……and I will say no more. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS MOVIE and see if it explains why H. W. Longfellow wrote the famous Christmas carol by the name of the movie! The movie is inspiring and will give you “pause” to think.

The reviews and ratings I found averaged about 75% when compiled; I would give it probably that for artistic acuity, but would give it 90% for interest! My wife makes it easy by giving it a “B+” over-all. It had a limited engagement, so you might have to look a little extra to find it, or you might have to rent or borrow it!